7 minute read
Graves Mill WB WBT 74
"As you can see, a majority of the crashes are rear-end crashes,” said Scott Smith, transportation planning director for Virginia's Region 2000 Local Government Council, pointing to a Google image on their corridor study.
Graves Mill Road is a major connector between Lynchburg and Forest and many businesses have been developed over the years. And new developments are coming to the area soon.
“Because of the growth happening all along this corridor. We want to try to work out in the future and get ahead of that growth so that we can make plans to keep this corridor functioning well,” Smith said.
Officials say the study will cost about $60,000 paid for by the Local Government Council and a bit by Lynchburg. They will look from Nationwide Drive in Lynchburg to Gristmill Drive in Bedford County.
"We're going to be looking at the width of the lanes, can we add additional lanes without increasing the asphalt. We're going to be looking at synchronizing the traffic signals to make sure they're all working together properly. We're looking at pedestrian and transit accommodations to make sure other folks not using cars can get through here well,” Smith said.
On Tuesday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Lynchburg Humane Society, 1211 Old Graves Mill Road, officials will host an open-house format for members of the public to drop in and discuss concerns about Graves Mill Road.
To read more about the study, click here.
Source 4 - WLNI:
https://wlni.com/local-news/public-information-meeting-set-for-graves-mill-road-corridor-study
A public information workshop for the Graves Mill Road Corridor Study is scheduled for a week from tomorrow. The study is focusing on Graves Mill between McConville Road in Lynchburg and Gristmill Drive in Bedford County. The workshop is set for December 12th at the Lynchburg Humane Society on Old Graves Mill Road; it runs between 4:00 and 6:30 pm.
(Continue reading for the Region 2000 Local Government Council news release.)
LYNCHBURG— A public information workshop for the Graves Mill Road Corridor Study will be held between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday December 12th, 2017 at the
Lynchburg Humane Society at 1211 Old Graves Mill Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24502. The meeting will be held in an open-house format; members of the public may stop by at any time during the event.
Area residents, employees, commuters, shoppers, and business and property owners are encouraged to attend the workshop to learn about the study, review information about the corridor, and share comments regarding concerns, opportunities, and improvement ideas.
The study, which focuses on the Graves Mill Road corridor between McConville Road in Lynchburg and Gristmill Drive in Bedford County, is being conducted by the Region 2000 Local Government Council and Central Virginia Metropolitan Planning Organization in partnership with Bedford County, the City of Lynchburg and the Virginia Department of Transportation. EPR, P.C. of Charlottesville is providing engineering and planning assistance on the project which began in August 2017 and will conclude next spring.
Graves Mill Road is an important roadway that serves heavy commuter traffic while also providing access to commercial interests. This corridor planning study will:
Investigate existing traffic conditions and consider what kinds of road improvements may be needed if future traffic continues to increase, Assess existing and desired conditions for pedestrians, bicyclists, and users of transit, (multimodal options), and Address safety issues. The study effort will develop short and long-term recommendations that will help to minimize congestion and improve travel conditions and safety along this important corridor. Once the study is complete, the projects can be prioritized so that funding and implementation strategies can be pursued.
For more information on the study, please visit www.gravesmillplan.com.
For more information about this public information workshop or the study, please contact Scott Smith (Transportation Planning Director, Region 2000 Local Government Council) prior to the meeting at 434-845-3491 or by email at ssmith@region2000.org.
MEMORANDU M
TO: SCOTT SMITH
ORGANIZATION: VIRGINIA’S REGION 2000 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
PHONE NUMBER: 434-845-3491
Re: MEETING SUMMARY – GRAVES MILL ROAD COMMUNITY MEETING #2 FROM: DREW DRAPER, PTP BILL WUENSCH, P.E., PTOE DATE: MAY 9, 2018
SENDER’S REFERENCE NUMBER:
YOUR REFERENCE NUMBER:
URGENT X FOR YOUR USE PLEASE COMMENT PLEASE REPLY PLEASE RECYCLE
A public meeting for the Graves Mill Road Corridor Study was held on Monday, April 23, 2018 at the Lynchburg Humane Society in Lynchburg, Virginia. The meeting was organized as an open-house format and was open to the general public from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. Advertisement for the meeting included:
• Mail-outs to residents and businesses near the study area approximately two weeks in advance of the meeting • Deployment of variable message signs on Graves Mill Road approximately one week in advance of the meeting • Press release • Advertisement via social media • Advertisement via local news agencies • Notice included on the project website (www.gravesmillplan.com)
The goal of this meeting was for the public to 1) learn more about the study and progress to date,
2) review draft short- and long-term roadway improvements, and 3) share comments and
thoughts on bicycle and pedestrian needs. Attendees were encouraged to provide feedback and offer suggestions that would help to inform the project development process. Representatives from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), City of Lynchburg, Virginia’s Region 2000 Local Government Council, and project consultants were available to explain materials, answer questions, and record feedback. Information boards were set up in the meeting space that presented the following subjects:
• Welcome and purpose of the meeting • Information about the study • Priority I recommendations
• Priority II recommendations • Priority III recommendations • Information on roundabout and diverging diamond interchanges • Overview of existing multimodal conditions
In addition to the information boards, posters illustrating existing and future traffic conditions, and historical crash data that were shared at the first meeting were also available for review on surrounding tables. Large table-top maps of the corridor were available for attendees to gather around and mark-up regarding multimodal needs and desires. Comment sheets were also made available for participants. The meeting was attended by approximately 30 people (that signed in), including business owners/representatives along the corridor. Local news organizations covered the first meeting extensively, and gathered information via the project website and Virginia’s Region 2000 Local Government Council for meeting #2.
A consistent flow of attendees began right at 4:00 PM and continued through approximately 5:30 PM. Representatives were provided sufficient time to walk attendees through the study recommendations and answer questions, as needed. Overall, attendees were very pleased of the recommendations presented and that transportation representatives were attempting to stay in front of potential growth that could exceed 50% over the next 20 years. I key topic that was discussed included project implementation and funding opportunities. While some focus was paid to transit, pedestrian and bicycle accommodations along the corridor, the majority of attention was on the draft recommendations. To note, this was consistent with the first meeting, as many participants recognize this is a higher speed, cut-through road. However, multimodal recommendations included additional sidewalks, signalized pedestrian crossings, and enhanced transit stop amenities.
It was further suggested, in this meeting and at the first, that City (or other agencies) undergo a study along Old Graves Mill Road between Graves Mill Road and Timberlake Road.
Specific Public Comments
The following public comments were written on comment sheets that were provided at the meeting, or emailed via the project website (specific identifying information has been removed, and at times, comments are paraphrased):
Please address no turn lanes from Graves Mill Road to Lillian. There are many rear end accidents that occur.
Very difficult to make a left across Graves Mill Road from Lillian during rush hour. The connector between Old Graves Mill Road and Graves Mill Road is a concern.
Need a center turn lane on the western side of the project (west of Millside Drive). Are there any current plans to connect all the sidewalks on Old Graves Mill Rd from humane society to Timberlake Road? A lot of pedestrians walk towards Kroger etc. and there are no sidewalks to accommodate.
The following images depict public comments provided on table top maps located between the informational boards. A summary is provided under each.
The comments on this map indicate a greater desire for a multiuse path along portions of Graves Mill Road when compared to a sidewalk. This was a common theme heard from participants as residents feel it would be more utilized because it can also accommodate bikes. In addition to a multiuse path, enhanced pedestrian accommodations should be provided, including ADA. To note, intersection #1 includes a pedestrian crossing and signal as part of the study’s Priority I recommendations.
The following comments were noted on the table top map above:
• Be sure to consider adaptive signals. To note, the City has applied for adaptive signal technology that covers the eastern intersections of Graves Mill Road.
